Israel Matzav

Israel warns: free soldier or Haniyeh dies

The Australian reported in yesterday's editions that Israel warned the 'Palestinian Authority' that unless kidnapped IDF corporal Gilad Shalit is freed unharmed, it will target 'Palestinian Prime Minister' Ismail Haniyeh.

According to the Australian, the unprecedented warning was delivered to 'moderate Palestinian President' Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen in a letter as Israel debated a deal offered by Hamas to free Corporal Gilad Shalit. As I reported last night, that 'offer' required the release of more than 1000 'Palestinian' prisoners terrorists from Israeli jails.

Egypt and the neighbouring Arab states of Jordan and Lebanon fear a war between Israel and the Palestinians could lead to uprisings within their own borders, which house many Palestinian refugees, not to mention the number of 'Palestinians' who might try to escape into those three countries.

The biggest problem with this warning is that Shalit is not under the control of Haniyeh, but rather under the control of Khaled Meshaal. I don't think Haniyeh could release Shalit even if he wanted to, and I don't think Meshaal could care less what happpens in the Gaza Strip.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:46 AM